HC Deb 23 October 1981 vol 10 cc195-6W

Mr. Ernie Ross asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in light of the fact that 15,659 people are unemployed in Dundee, he will now authorise an expansion in the number of places available for re-training at the Dundee skillcenter .

Mr. Alexander Fletcher:

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that training capacity at Dundee skillcenter has been increased by 32 places over the past year. Two additional skill classes have been introduced as have facilities for vocational assessment designed to meet the needs of the longer term unemployed. These new courses will allow the skillcenter to cater for around 160 additional trainees annually .

The Dundee skillcenter represents only a small proportion of the commission's overall training provision in Tayside which will provide opportunities for some 1,000 adults in 1981–82 .